Chemistry: Nonmetals

Physical Properties

The physical properties of nonmetals are opposite to those that characterize metals. 

• Many of the nonmetals are gasses at room temperature
• They have low boiling points
• Carbon and Iodine are solids at room temperature
• Bromine is the only liquid at room temperature 

Chemical Properties

• The atoms of the nonmetals (except for the ones in group 18) can react with other atoms, leading to the formation of compounds.

Compounds of Nonmetals

• Nonmetals can also form compounds with other nonmetals
• The atoms share electrons and become bonded together into molecules, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
• When the molecules contain only two atoms, they are called diatomic molecules (O₂, N₂, H₂)
• Some nonmetal elements also form diatomic molecules